We offer material testing services for measuring the contents of hazardous compounds in different materials, such as water, paints, lacquers, adhesives, building materials, polyurethane foam, sealants, textiles, fibers and waste.
Isocyanates are a group of chemicals which have been used for industrial purposes for more than 50 years, mainly for manufacturing of polyurethane plastics (PUR). PUR is nowadays found in for example foam, thermoplastics, fibers, adhesives, coatings and lacquers, foils and insulation materials. Isocyanates are extremely toxic. The most critical effect of isocyanate exposure is the risk of developing isocyanate asthma. In many cases, there is also a development of hypersensitivity to air pollution and odors. Other serious effects are decreased lung function and skin allergies. Common symptoms include headache and respiratory problems such as nasal congestion, sniffing, nose bleeding or coughing. In many countries, isocyanates are subject to very low occupational exposure limits due to their hazardous properties.
We perform a wide range of isocyanate analysis during thermal decomposition of materials, from mono- and diisocyanate monomers to higher molecular weight isocyanate oligomers and adducts. This analysis can be used to indicate whether there is a risk for exposure to isocyanates, when exposing the material in question to elevated temperatures. The analysis is especially useful when the possible contents of isocyanates are unknown.
Analysis according to the Europur method, by extraction with 1.0% aq. acetic acid at room temperature for 40 minutes, or by extraction with 0.1% acetic acid followed by derivatization with pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA) and LC or GC-MS analysis, as described in Analytica Chimica Acta 510 (2004) 109-119.
Analysis in accordance with ISO/TS 16179:2012: Footwear – Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components – Determination of organotin compounds in footwear materials.
